Title

Author

Date of Graduation

Document Type

Degree Name

Bachelor of Social Work

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

School of Social Work

Advisor

Ferguson, Alishia

Reader

Friedrich, Heather

Second Reader

Murphy-Erby, Yvette

Third Reader

Engen, Mindy

Abstract

As health concerns for the nation increase, access to fresh and healthy produce is a simple and essential solution to the extreme levels of obesity currently being experienced. Arkansas currently has the highest rate of childhood obesity and severely high levels of food insecurity. This study investigates the efforts made by policymakers to increase access to local and fresh produce through the use of SNAP incentive programs at local farmers markets. Vendor opinions are taken into account at farmers markets in the Northwest Arkansas area to decipher the program effectiveness thus far. The implications of this study will further the development of an overall examination of the program as it progresses and grows in this area, and will produce a background on potential strengths and weaknesses.